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former Mebane realtor, John Francis Barnhart, 57, has had his North Carolina real estate license permanently revoked after he was convicted of indecent liberties with a minor and faces additional charges in Lee County for allegedly committing a similar crime.

    Barnhart's license was surrendered voluntarily on December 11, making him ineligible to work in real estate without obtaining a new license. The surrender was part of a disciplinary action involving over a dozen North Carolina real estate agents and brokers.

    The commission dismissed allegations that Barnhart violated the Real Estate License Law and Commission Rules, but he neither admitted nor denied misconduct. Barnhart was arrested on November 20 for felony indecent liberties with a child and released after posting bond.

    He was subsequently charged with failing to register as a convicted sex offender in Lee County, as required by an Alamance County court order following his conviction in July 2024. Barnhart's conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred in 2016, for which he was charged in 2021.

    Barnhart is being represented on appeal by Daniel Shatz and faces a scheduled court appearance on January 27 for the new charges. He made his first appearance in Lee County on December 9 and is represented by Sanford attorney Matthew Stone, while Lee County assistant district attorney Tiffany Bartholomew will prosecute the cases against him.